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WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 04: Nick Markakis #21 of the Baltimore Orioles is greeted in the dugout by teammates after hitting a home run in the fifth inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on August 4, 2014 in Washington, DC. The Baltimore Orioles won, 7-3.(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

The Baltimore Orioles went to the South Side of Chicago earlier in the week to take on the White Sox for three games. After sweeping that series at U.S. Cellular Field, the Baltimore lead in the American League East has swollen to nine games over both the New York Yankees and the Toronto Blue Jays.

As the Birds head to the North Side of the Windy City to face the Cubs at Wrigley, they have their largest division lead since September of 1997. Of course, that was the last season in which they claimed the AL East flag.

Heading into the Cubs series, the Orioles have won four-straight and are 13-5 in the month of August.

While the Birds soar, the rest of the division as been mediocre. As a matter of fact, the Orioles are the only team in the East playing above .500 this month.

The Yankees, who have lost 7 of 10 games, are right at .500 (9-9). The Tampa Bay Rays have split their last ten and are 9-10.

The Red Sox have lost five-straight and are 8-11 this month. The Blue Jays are really struggling as they have lost six of ten and are a terrible 5-12 in August.

Starting on September 5th, the Orioles will begin a stretch of games to close out the regular season against only AL East teams.

Since the Birds are 30-19 against their division in 2014, I’m sure they are looking forward to that very much.